Leslie (Les) Harvey Tapp, 86

Published 10:25 am Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Leslie (Les) Harvey
Tapp, 86

Leslie (Les) Harvey Tapp, 86, of rural Dexter, died Friday morning, Feb. 24, 2017, following a short but valiant battle with cancer. In the months and days leading up to his death, he was surrounded by and felt the well-deserved love of his family.

Les was born in Northfield, Minnesota, but spent the majority of his long and active life residing and farming in rural Dexter. As a farmer, husband and father, he was a doer of all things. Known for “never letting the grass grow under his feet,” you would rarely find him sitting idle. Rather, he would be dreaming up or actively working on an unending list of projects – anything from building a covered bridge, to hand-crafting a railing, to resurrecting a turn-of-the-century cabin, to creating stained-glass windows. He was an intelligent and creative man who gave selflessly and generously to family, friends and the community. Les was proud to be an American and served his country with pride as part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Korean War. He instilled in his grandchildren the importance of service and being good Americans and was the recipient of hand-made cards from them every Veteran’s Day. Les was also proud of his family and loved spending time with them. One of his greatest joys was working side-by-side with his sons on one of his many projects and being able to say, “Now that’s a good job done.” Les loved his wife above all and enjoyed nothing more than taking her for a spin on the dance floor. Hearing a polka song will forever bring a smile to those of us who had the pleasure of watching them dance.

Les is survived by the love of his life, wife Shirley; five sons, Bryon (Bonnie), Steve (Lesli), Mike, Brad (Julie) and Tracy (Amy); 13 beloved grandchildren; three brothers, Delmar, Gaylord (Erene) and John (Amy) Tapp; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, Harvey and Julia; five brothers, Howard, Raymond, Donald, Wayne and Glen; two sisters, Maxine Carmichael and Irene Parker; and one beloved grandson, Alex.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield, Minnesota, followed by an 11 a.m. funeral service. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately after the funeral service, with burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Brownsdale, Minnesota, thereafter.  Worlein Funeral Home, Austin.  Online condolences: www.worlein.com.